by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
Many parents are rushing to buy gifts for their children. Americans reportedly spent roughly
$10.8 billion online on Black Friday this year, up 10.2% from the previous year, then followed
that up by spending $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday, 7.3% more compared to Cyber Monday in 2023. The average amount spent by parents on their children on Black Friday this year was
$1,000.00. A very large percentage of the items purchased with this money is “disposable,” and
will be discarded within a year or two. There is a gift you can give your children which costs
nothing in dollars and cents, but which is infinitely more valuable.
Time you spend teaching and demonstrating Christianity will pay rich dividends. Some of
the toys and other gifts given to our children will be deeply appreciated, and may create long-
lasting memories, but these temporal things pale in comparison to the eternal rewards of spiritual
instruction and discipline. The Bible school lessons, the family devotionals, the spiritual
counseling and demonstration of Christianity before your children as they grow up will continue
to benefit them long after you are gone. Learning to love Jesus and his church is a life lesson which
outlasts life. As the apostle John said, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust
of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever, (1 John 2:16-17).
Sometimes parents beat themselves up, desperately trying to spend more on their children
than the estranged spouse or the parents of their children’s friends are spending. They fear that
their children will feel unloved or “second rate.” But if you look closely at most situations, you
will see that it is not mainly the children who want more things. The parents themselves – the ones
who should understand spiritual realities – are trying to “keep up with the Jones’s.” They are
concerned with their own image in the community, and have many times forgotten what is the
greatest gift one can give their children.
Parents should focus on building within their children a deep and abiding faith in God. It’s
a reliance upon God in times of trouble, and an assurance that He not only exists, but that He will
reward those who diligently seek Him, (Hebrews 11:6). It is almost instinctual, meaning it works
automatically for those who have been instilled with it from childhood. It comes from a constant
and consistent exposure to God’s word, (Romans 10:17).
Parents should give their children hope – a hope which outlasts the transient physical
blessings of this life. It is a solace and assurance for a better future, an eternity with the saved of
all ages. It is truly an “anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19) because it keeps us pressing on to better
things ahead. Life without hope is most miserable, even for one surrounded by luxury and material
wealth. But with hope, life blossoms.
The greatest gift you can give your children is love for Jesus Christ and His church. No
matter how many toys they have, how much money or material possessions, if they do not deeply
love the church of Christ, there will be an ever-present and dark hole in their lives. If at home they
hear the church ridiculed, her elders and preachers criticized, her programs of work constantly
questioned, they will never develop the love for the church they so desperately need.
This does not mean you should be unrealistic with your children, constantly speaking of the
congregation “through rose-colored glasses” as it were. They must eventually come to understand
that anytime there are humans involved, there will be imperfections and problems. But they must
see you wrestling with those problems in a spirit of love and concern. They must consistently see
that ultimately, you have the best interests of the church uppermost in your heart. They must notice
that you deeply love the Lord.
As we navigate the gift-giving season, may we retain our perspective on what life is all
about. Gifts are good, but they should be given with care and forethought. It’s not about out-
giving our neighbors, or vainly trying to fill up our children’s wants. Let’s never lose sight of the
greatest gift we can give!
